Sonja's Inspiration: Gift of Life Butterfly Project

In April of 2025, Live On Nebraska recognized National Donor Awareness Month with the Gift of Life Butterfly Project. 

Sonja Ventura is a Patient Care Technician at Grand Island Regional Medical Center. She was the creative mind behind the butterfly submitted for the hospital.

The Butterfly Project is an annual state-wide community art initiative to showcase the impact of donation and transplantation and to encourage others to register as donors.

When Grand Island Regional Medical Center was invited to join the campaign, Patient Care Technician Sonja Ventura offered her creative skills and compassionate heart to create the hospital’s first decorated butterfly.

All participating organizations were offered a 3-foot by 3-foot cardboard butterfly to decorate with a chosen theme that represents the gift of life. All butterflies were displayed at The Union for Contemporary Art in Omaha, Nebraska.

Sonja’s creation was adorned with cherry blossoms, a gentle river and two bridges. Her design symbolized the benevolent act of organ and tissue donation and the ongoing beauty of the lives changed.

“Spring is about birth and renewal and that’s the vision I wanted to create. I have a love for cherry blossoms-they are so beautiful and bring me happiness.”

While Sonja found joy in the creation of the artwork, her goal was the creation of an impactful message.

“I wanted to portray happiness. When we think about the choice that people and their families have for donating organs and tissue, they are giving a chance to others. Although a loved one passes away, a heart continues to beat or a ligament or tendon improves another person’s life—that is a beautiful thing.”

Sonja also added two bridges to her butterfly design as important reminders to prioritize loved ones.

“Stop! Put down the phone and take a walk with a family member. You don’t know when your last day is coming and its often unexpected.”

One of the two bridges was perched high on the wing of the butterfly amongst cherry blossoms and clouds. It served as a reminder that our loved ones are looking upon us from above after they pass away.

About Live On Nebraska

• One organ donor can save up to eight lives.
• More than 100 people can benefit from a single tissue donor.
• One donor can heal more than 100 people.
• The same tissue that nourishes a baby for nine months can provide healing to others after birth.